Author: Tristan Chidlow

Returning for its fourth year, adidas SPEZIAL and Gary Aspden conjure up a SS18 collection inspired by the Acid House scenes on the Balearic island of Ibiza in the late 80s. adidas SPEZIAL SS18 strengthens on the narrative of previous collections with a journey of self-discovery that exhibits the birth of the British rave culture.

The styles that can be found in Drop Two are the Lacombe SPZL, CLMBA SPZL, Handball Kreft SPZL and the Padiham SPZL (brown).

Drop Two is launching online on 23/03/18 at 00:01 and will be available from our Leeds store from 09:00 on the same day. adidas SPEZIAL Spring Summer 2018 is not available from our Nottingham store.

As our SS18 deliveries continue to roll though, Patta Spring/Summer ’18 Drop One appears on the horizon. The Amsterdam streetwear brand strengthen its already-legendary legacy with a collection that includes technical tracksuits, signature branding and of course, bold-branded illustrated graphics.

The Dutch brand deliver a collection with outerwear options, graphic t-shirts, shorts, sweats and quarter-zip top with 90s vibes all the way through.

A striking summer colour palate has been selected with an array of fabrics used including pinstriped cotton, silky satin, pique cotton and polar fleece. With taped branding, chequered prints and a hot pink shellsuit, Patta Spring/Summer ’18 lives up to the hype.

As our brand line-up continues to build momentum we are pleased to introduce Tres Bien into the fold for the SS18 season. Tres Bien is a Swedish menswear brand established in 2006 by two passionate brothers, Simon and Hannes Hogeman. The brand’s identity has been formed by its distinct designs that blend elements of classic American sportswear, high-end fashion and streetwear styles.

This Malmo-based, contemporary label develops custom-made materials with clean lines through a high-quality European manufacturing process. Tres Bien apply seasonal colour palettes across a selection of wardrobe essentials with emphasis on the smaller details forming a considerate and complete collection of apparel with a refined sense of Scandi style.

The adidas + KANYE WEST partnership contintues with the YEEZY POWERPHASE Core Black.

The YEEZY POWERPHASE Core Black has been constructed with a soft black leather upper, a die-cut EVA midsole and a high abrasion rubber outsole. Additional features include perforated 3-Stripes to the side walls, gold foil CALABASAS lettering to the side panels and green and red adidas Originals branding to finish.

The YEEZY POWERPHASE Core Black is launching at The Hip Store on 17/03/18. It is launching online at 10:00 and will be available from 09:00 at both our Leeds and Nottingham stores. Limited to one pair per order / customer.

Returning for its fourth year, adidas SPEZIAL and Gary Aspden conjure up a SS18 collection inspired by the Acid House scenes on the Balearic island of Ibiza in the late 80s. adidas SPEZIAL SS18 strengthens on the narrative of previous collections with a journey of self-discovery that exhibits the birth of the British rave culture.

The accompanying film has been directed by &SON and Nick Griffiths that captures a utopian journey through the white isle. Flashing lights, electronic dance music and beach-side sunrises feature, narrated by Happy Mondays main man and Acid House hero, Bez. The soundtrack has been created by ‘People, Paces and Things’ via Gabe Gurnsey from the UK electronic duo, Factory Floor. The stills feature stunning back-drops of Ibiza, shot beautifully by the celebrated British photographer, Kevin Cummins.

Both the video and lookbook combine adidas SPEZIAL’s legitimate connection to this UK subculture with a modern-day summer season aesthetic. This latest effort is a nostalgic, tangible throwback, re-counting two euphoric summer seasons spent in Ibiza in ‘88 and ’89, commonly known as the Second Summer of Love. adidas Originals was without doubt one of the biggest brands during these times, with Adidas runners being the go-to shoe for all-night ravers.

The Spring Summer ’18 collection includes a selection of heritage-inspired apparel featuring pastel hues, detailed embroidery, the ‘Mod Trefoil’ logo and bold, 80s-inspired graphics. Desirable archive footwear styles return alongside new hybrids like the Glenbuck SPZL. Last but by no means least, a velour towel decorated with a hefty ‘Mod Trefoil’ logo.

The styles that can be found in Drop One are the Padiham SPZL (navy), Indoor Kreft SPZL, Glenbuck SPZL (green), all of the apparel and the SPEZIAL Logo Towel.

The styles that can be found in Drop Two are the Lacombe SPZL, CLMBA SPZL, Handball Kreft SPZL, ZX280 SPZL and Padiham SPZL (brown).

Drop One is launching online now. Drop Two launches on 23/03/18. Both drops will be available online and from our Leeds store.

Two global icons, adidas Originals and Pharrell Williams collaborate for an India-inspired collection celebrating joy, equality and humanity. The artist, designer and musician Pharrell Williams puts his twist on a selection of adidas Originals styles both old and new. Pharrell has taken inspiration from the Hindu Holi Festival that celebrates love, peace and equality.

The final collection from this three-part SS18 series is the ‘Powder Dye’ Pack consisting of a Stan Smith Primeknit, three NMD Trails, a Tennis HU Primeknit, a windbreaker jacket, two t-shirts, a pair of shorts and a towel. By using a one-off dying process, both the footwear and textiles come in a selection of colours that are truly unique. The colourways are a nod to the vibrant colours associated with the Hindu Holi Festival season.

The adidas Originals x Pharrell Williams ‘Powder Dye’ Pack is launching at The Hip Store on 16/03/18. Launching online at 08:00 on 16/03/18 and available at our Leeds store from 09:00 on 16/03/18. Not available from our Nottingham store.

Those serious about their denim will know a thing or two about the art and appreciation of selvage denim. For those unbeknown, read on.

Selvage denim is the purest form of denim. It has a crisp edge and the quality is far superior compared to your regular denim. The edge of the fabric is used as the jean’s outseam which is an easy indicator to establish selvage versus non-selvage. Crafted with a much sturdier feel, selvage denim tells a unique story subject to the wearer’s lifestyle. With each wear, and as time passes, natural fades, unique colours and characteristics come through. You personalise your jeans naturally without knowing it.

Two gents can buy the exact same pair of selvage denim, but if you roll the clock forward, both pairs will look entirely different all depending on their lifestyles. Picking up a pair of selvage denim is like building a custom; the reward is having a one-of-one pair of jeans. Selvage denim lasts much longer, it’s a valuable purchase and the unique fades, stress-marks and wear-and-tear are truly unique.

Selvage denim is made using thick cotton and takes a while to ‘break-in’. Advice on breaking them in is to simply wear them and let the process take care of itself. Though be warned, the indigo dye from a brand-new pair of unwashed selvage jeans can ‘bleed’, leaving marks wherever you go and the dye can even leave blue stains at the top of your trainers.

Raw and selvage must not be mistaken as the same type of denim. Raw simply refers to whether jeans have been pre-washed during the manufacturing process or not.

Sizing can be tricky. It’s recommend to take your normal size or even go down a size as selvage jeans will naturally stretch out as time goes on. Looking after your selvage denim is crucial but simple. Repairs and patchwork only add to the story so don’t be afraid to repair a crotch blowout or patch over a hole.

Washing your selvage jeans can return some interesting results on Google (washing them in the sea, folding them up and leaving them in your freezer overnight and so on). What’s advisable is to machine wash them only when it’s a necessity. Advice for washing selvage denim would be to wear your jeans for as long as possible, put them in the washing machine on a quick spin cycle, hang them out to dry in the fresh air and then carry on as you were.

Our latest Edwin collection includes one particular style that has been crafted from a beautiful 14-ounce Japanese cotton. Edwin is the most celebrated denim brand not only in Japan but probably in the world. Edwin produce its own Japanese selvage denim, developed at its famous Kuroki Mill in Japan.

Edwin introduced selvage denim to the Japanese market and manufactured the first pair of Edwin jeans domestically in 1961. Throughout the 70s and 80s Edwin invented and developed ‘stone washing’; a process that went on to change the way the world looks at denim forever. Edwin SS18 includes several differing types of selvage denim.

A highly sought-after variation of selvage denim is ‘Rainbow Selvage’ that refers to the rainbow-coloured selvage edge. This multi-coloured selvage denim was first introduced by Edwin back in 1963 and is still popular today.

Nudie Jeans Co. is a denim label that we are delighted to welcome back for the SS18 season. A Swedish brand with a passion for all things raw and selvage denim. Born out of the Swedish coastal city of Gothenburg, Nudie are firm believers that denim should be worn raw and washed only when it’s essential (six months at the very earliest). Nudie is a denim partisan that uses organic fabrics with a sustainable and ethical approach to manufacturing. The Hip Store is in a better place with Nudie back in the mix and our first collection includes the Grim Tim – Dry Selvage Jeans.

Two global icons, adidas Originals and Pharrell Williams collaborate for an India-inspired collection celebrating joy, equality and humanity. Included in part one of a three-part series is the ‘Hindu Holi Blank Canvas’ Pack that includes three trainers and a track top. The artist, designer and musician Pharrell Williams puts his twist on a selection of adidas Originals styles both old and new. Pharrell has taken inspiration from the Hindu Holi Festival that celebrates love, peace and equality.

This first collection for SS18 includes the HU Knit Track Top, the Stan Smith, the Tennis HU and a highly-sought after NMD silhouette, all of which have been transformed by Pharrell exclusively for this collaboration. Expect Primeknit fabrics, modern technology, archive details and dual-branding across a fully-tonal offering.

The Hip Store is delighted to welcome the evolving Dutch streetwear brand Pop Trading Company to its brand list for the SS18 season. An emerging, relatively-new label based in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam with deep roots in skateboarding playing an essential part of the local skate scene.

Since Pop Trading Company was founded in 2013, the Amsterdam skateboarding community has been at the heart of everything it creates, whether it’s a video, a pop-up event or a line of apparel. Its refined, stripped-back designs crossover into menswear seamlessly, referencing classic sportswear and Italian fashion brands from the ‘90s. Low-key branding, quality detailing and elevated styling creates an on-point aesthetic, blurring the lines of high-end menswear, streetwear and skate.

This passionate Dutch label boasts an inimitable charm, is flying the flag for the Benelux skate scene whilst making a buoyant impression on the European menswear market. The first Pop Trading Company delivery for SS18 is online now.

Japanese label NEIGHBORHOOD and adidas Originals come together for a Capsule Collection to kick off the SS18 season. For this project inspiration comes from the raw, electric energy of the squads of the city of Shinsengumi combined with technical elements and original styles from both brands.

The collection is packed full of sportswear styles with NEIGHBORHOOD founder Shinsuke Takizawa’s unparalleled design perspective, a monochrome aesthetic and next-level fabrics. adidas Originals by NEIGHBORHOOD SS18 is stimulated by the Japanese label’s signature application mixing vintage and streetwear culture with a rugged attitude.

Included in the clothing line-up is a set of t-shirts, sweats, track pants and outerwear with Japanese motifs and dual-branding throughout the range. Iconic adidas Originals styles make an appearance including the Game Jersey and the Commander Sweat with shrewd alterations made exclusively for this collection. Two stand-out styles are the Raiders Track Jacket and the NH M-51 Jacket, both paying tribute to traditional motorcycling gear with a few NEIGHBORHOOD trademark touches.

Footwear-wise, we are blessed with four silhouettes including old and brand-new styles. The Gazelle Super and the I-5923 remain fairly low-key after being blacked-out and constructed using the innovative Primeknit fabric.

Opposite these two styles is the NMD_R1 and the never-seen-before Chop Shop NBHD. The NMD_R1 receives a complete overhaul with contrast stitching, saw-toothed detailing and plenty of branding throughout.

Last but by no means least is the Chop Shop NBHD. A new silhouette that has been created exclusively for this collaboration, a trainer that oozes vintage only with the added extra of modern technology including a BOOST midsole.

Twelve months since their last collaborative effort, Japanese retailer UNITED ARROWS & SONS come together with adidas Originals for a Spring Summer ’18 Capsule Collection. As often is the case, after a bit of Archive digging, UNITED ARROWS & SONS re-work and adjust iconic sportswear styles with a distinct sartorial touch.

Fledgling Ajax sensation Kasper Dolberg models the range that’s been designed with the Japanese collage artist Kosuke Kawamura. Dominated by a selection of sportswear-inspired pieces the collaboration also sees Tokyo-based UNITED ARROWS & SONS tackle the NMD CS2 and R2 silhouette. Dual branding takes centre stage throughout that’s been fashioned through Kawamura’s signature ‘shredding’ technique for a truly unique finish.

The clothing comprises of several different styles with an urban and understated vibe including a coach jacket with EQT-style branding across the shoulder and a tailored jacket with matching bottoms. Alongside these are a handful of sportswear essentials including a soccer jersey that’s reminiscent of football kits and training tops from the 80s and 90s.

Both NMDs are bound in a marl grey upper together with reflective 3M 3-Stripe detailing, dual branding and Boost technology underfoot with the CS2 really catching our attention as one of the best collabs on this style to date.

The adidas Originals x UNITED ARROWS & SONS SS18 Capsule Collection is launching on the 20/01/18.

We are delighted to finally welcome Danner boots to our footwear mix just in time for the cold snap. Danner boast over 80 years of expertise, crafting robust, weather-ready, US-made boots.With over 80 years of expertise, this American brand has mastered the art of robust, weather-ready, US-made boots. Our first offering is something truly special with hiking-style laces and hardware, waterproof linings and stunning leather uppers getting involved throughout. Available in both our Leeds and Nottingham stores and online now.